Remote control nearfield detection

Abstract

A patient support apparatus is provided that includes: a removable table; a support structure comprising a support column having an adjustable height, the support column having a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table; an actuator for adjusting the height of the support column; a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control; an RF reader positioned proximate the column head for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag on the remote control; and a controller coupled to the actuator, and to the RF reader for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the remote control. The controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the presence of the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support structure for supporting a removable table of a patient support apparatus, the support structure comprising:
 a support column having an adjustable height, the support column including a column head at an upper end of the support column for receiving and supporting the removable table;   an actuator for adjusting the height of the support column;   a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control;   an RF reader positioned proximate the column head for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag on the remote control;   a user interface positioned on the support column for providing control signals; and   a controller coupled to the user interface, the actuator, the wireless receiver, and to the RF reader for controlling the actuator in response to control signals, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the controller detects whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance based on detection of RF signals received by the RF reader from the RFID tag. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 30 centimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 1  and further comprising a base plate for positioning the support structure on a floor of an operating room, where the support column is secured to the base plate. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 1  and further comprising a chassis and wheels attached to the chassis for moving the support structure, wherein the support column is secured to the chassis. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure further comprises a motor for selectively driving one of the wheels to provide motorized movement of the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 6  and further comprising a motor for rotating at least one of the plurality of wheels to propel the patient support apparatus in at least one direction, wherein the controller is coupled to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a second predetermined distance from the table and wherein the controller is further configured to disable actuation of the motor in response to control signals received from the remote control when the remote control is not detected within the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 7 , wherein the second predetermined distance is about 2 meters. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 7 , wherein the controller controls a plurality of functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein one of the functions is the actuation of the motor, wherein the controller controls the other functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control regardless of the detection of the remote control within the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the controller periodically checks whether a remote control is within the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the removable table is an operating table having a plurality of movable segments controlled by the controller. 
     
     
         12 . A patient support apparatus comprising the removable table and the support structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A patient support apparatus comprising:
 a removable table;   a support structure comprising a support column having an adjustable height, the support column having a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table;   an actuator for adjusting the height of the support column;   a remote control;   a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from the remote control;   an RF reader for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag, wherein one of the RF reader and the RFID tag is on the remote control and the other of the RF reader and the RFID tag is positioned proximate the column head; and   a controller coupled to the actuator and the wireless receiver, the controller being in communication with the RF reader for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the presence of the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         14 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the controller detects whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance based on detection of RF signals received by the RF reader from the RFID tag. 
     
     
         15 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 30 centimeters. 
     
     
         16 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure further comprises a base plate for positioning the support structure on a floor of an operating room, where the support column is secured to the base plate. 
     
     
         17 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure further comprises a chassis and wheels attached to the chassis for moving the support structure, wherein the support column is secured to the chassis. 
     
     
         18 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure further comprises a motor for selectively driving one of the wheels to provide motorized movement of the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the support structure further comprises a motor for rotating at least one of the plurality of wheels to propel the patient support apparatus in at least one direction, wherein the controller is coupled to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a second predetermined distance from the table and wherein the controller is further configured to disable actuation of the motor in response to control signals received from the remote control when the remote control is not detected within the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         20 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the second predetermined distance is about 2 meters. 
     
     
         21 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the controller controls a plurality of functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein one of the functions is the actuation of the motor, wherein the controller controls the other functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control regardless of the detection of the remote control within the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         22 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the controller periodically checks whether a remote control is within the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         23 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the removable table is an operating table having a plurality of movable segments controlled by the controller. 
     
     
         24 . A patient support apparatus comprising:
 a support structure comprising:
 a chassis having a plurality of wheels for allowing movement of the patient support apparatus; 
 a motor for rotating at least one of the plurality of wheels to propel the patient support apparatus in at least one direction; and 
 a support column supported on the chassis; 
   a table supported by the support column;   a remote control;   a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from the remote control;   an RF reader for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag, wherein one of the RF reader and the RFID tag is on the remote control and the other of the RF reader and the RFID tag is associated with the support structure; and   a controller coupled to the motor and the wireless receiver, the controller being in communication with the RF reader for controlling a plurality of functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein one of the functions is the actuation of the motor, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the table and wherein the controller is further configured to disable actuation of the motor in response to control signals received from the remote control when the remote control is not detected within the predetermined distance, wherein the controller controls the other functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control regardless of the detection of the remote control within the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         25 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 2 meters. 
     
     
         26 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the controller periodically checks whether a remote control is within the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         27 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the controller detects whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance based on detection of RF signals received by the RF reader from the RFID tag. 
     
     
         28 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the table is a removable table. 
     
     
         29 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 28  and further comprising:
 an actuator for adjusting a height of the support column, wherein the support column has a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table, 
 wherein the RF reader is positioned proximate the column head, and 
 wherein the controller is coupled to the actuator for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a second predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the second predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
         30 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the second predetermined distance is about 30 centimeters. 
     
     
         31 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the controller periodically checks whether a remote control is within the second predetermined distance. 
     
     
         32 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 28  and further comprising:
 an actuator for adjusting a height of the support column, wherein the support column has a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table; and 
 a second RF reader positioned proximate the column head for receiving RF signals from the RFID tag on the remote control, 
 wherein the controller is coupled to the second RF reader and the actuator for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a second predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the second predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
         33 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the controller detects whether the remote control is within the second predetermined distance based on detection of RF signals received by the second RF reader from the RFID tag. 
     
     
         34 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 28  and further comprising:
 an actuator for adjusting a height of the support column, wherein the support column has a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table; and 
 a second RF reader positioned proximate the column head for receiving RF signals from a second RFID tag on the remote control, 
 wherein the controller is coupled to the second RF reader and the actuator for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a second predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the second predetermined distance. 
 
     
     
         35 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the controller detects whether the remote control is within the second predetermined distance based on detection of RF signals received by the second RF reader from the second RFID tag. 
     
     
         36 . The patient support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the table is an operating table having a plurality of moveable segments controlled by the controller. 
     
     
         37 . A method of controlling a transfer of a removable operating table from a shuttle to a support structure having a support column having an adjustable height, the support column having a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable operating table, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting whether a remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head;   disabling upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance; and   allowing upward movement of the support column when the remote control is not detected within the predetermined distance, wherein such upward movement of the support column lifts the operating table upward off the shuttle to transfer the operating table from the shuttle to the support structure.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  and further comprising the steps of:
 providing a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control; 
 providing an RFID tag on the remote control; and 
 providing an RF reader positioned proximate the column head for receiving RF signals from the RFID tag on the remote control, 
 wherein the step of detecting whether a remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head is based on detection of RF signals received by the RF reader from the RFID tag. 
 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37  and further comprising the step of providing an actuator for adjusting the height of the support column, wherein the step of disabling upward movement of the support column includes disabling operation of the actuator. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the predetermined distance is about 30 centimeters.